Isao made his way toward the capital building, his pace quick despite the slight burn in his legs.
By the time he reached the office, he was sweating—but smiling.
Isao: "I made it."
Hope looked up, giving a small nod.
Hope: "Excellent. Squad One is all here."
She straightened slightly, her tone turning formal.
Hope: "There's a group of robbers known as the Takeuchi Gang. Nothing special—just low-level criminals. We've received information on their next target."
She paused.
Hope: "Hanaka Bank."
Hanaka—the capital of Hishe. Isao's home.
Hope (over radio): "They're expected within the hour. Take positions and keep watch."
The four Knights moved quickly, each taking a hidden position around the bank.
Time passed.
Minutes turned into hours.
The night grew quiet.
Too quiet.
Isao leaned against a wall, his eyelids growing heavy—
Footsteps.
His eyes snapped open.
Five figures dressed in black approached the bank entrance.
Isao's heart started racing.
Isao (thinking):We're outnumbered…
Before he could move—
A violent gust of wind exploded across the street.
Endou: "Whirlwind Power: Windstorm."
The air roared as crushing winds slammed into the group, knocking them off balance.
Isao: "Wait!"
He sprinted forward.
Isao: "Lightning Power: Lightning Wall!"
A wall of crackling lightning surged upward, cutting through the wind and shielding the men.
The winds died down.
Endou appeared beside him, eyes sharp.
Endou: "What are you doing?!"
Isao: "We don't even know if they're the gang."
Endou: "Are you serious right now?"
Isao: "Don't judge people before you know the truth."
The five men huddled together, trembling.
Isao stepped forward, his voice steady.
Isao: "Are you the Takeuchi Gang?"
One of them hesitated… then nodded.
Gang Member: "Y-Yes… please… just let us go."
They were shaking.
Terrified.
Endou: "Nice going, Isao. Look what you've done."
Mika and Koji arrived beside them.
Mika: "Endou, calm down."
Isao: "And what if they weren't?"
Endou said nothing.
Isao turned back to the group.
Isao: "Why are you doing this?"
The same man swallowed hard.
Gang Member: "We… we have families. We're just trying to survive."
Isao's chest tightened.
For a moment… he didn't speak.
Then—
Isao: "That doesn't make it right."
He stepped forward.
Isao: "We're taking you in."
Later, the gang was handed over to the authorities.
As the others prepared to return—
Isao quietly grabbed a set of papers.
Endou: "Where are you going? We need to report back."
Isao: "You can do it without me."
He turned and walked off.
Mika: "You're going to their families… aren't you?"
Isao froze.
He turned, surprised.
Isao: "How did you—"
Mika smiled softly.
Mika: "You grabbed their addresses. And… you're kind. It's obvious."
Isao felt his face heat up.
Isao: "They live in the slums… without them, their families won't survive."
He looked down.
Isao: "I just… want to help."
Mika stepped beside him.
Mika: "Then I'm coming with you."
The first house was barely standing—rotting wood, broken edges.
Isao hesitated before knocking.
Knock. Knock.
The door creaked open.
A tired woman stood there… with a small child holding onto her leg.
Isao's heart sank.
Isao: "Ake Hidou was arrested."
His voice shook.
He held out a small bundle.
Isao: "But… I wanted to give this to you."
The woman's eyes filled with tears.
Mother: "We know… thank you."
The child looked up.
Child: "Where's Dada?"
Isao couldn't answer.
His throat tightened.
Tears blurred his vision as he turned and walked away.
He did the same for every family.
In that small bundle was two fish, five loaves of bread, and 50 Kio (50 Kio=100 USD)
By the time they finished, the sun was beginning to rise.
As they walked back—
Mika: "I admire you, you know."
Isao glanced at her.
Isao: "Thank you."
For a moment, he just looked at her—her calm eyes, her quiet strength.
The next day…
The team gathered to train.
Mika: "Hi!"
Isao: "Hey!"
Endou: "How are we training?"
Mika: "Two versus two?"
Koji: "I'm with Endou. We're not losing."
Isao (smirking): "We'll see."
The four stood in an empty valley outside Hanaka.
Isao: "3… 2… 1… Begin!"
They moved cautiously at first—
Then—
Koji: "Fire Power: Fire Bullet!"
A blazing orb shot toward Isao at high speed.
Mika: "Water Power: Shield!"
A wave of water rose, blocking the attack.
Isao: "Thanks!"
Mika: "Let's win this!"
Isao: "Right!"
Lightning sparked in his hand.
Isao: "Lightning Power: Lightning Strike!"
A bolt shot toward Endou—
But before it hit—
He vanished.
Isao's eyes widened.
Isao (thinking):Where—?!
A sudden pressure hit from behind.
They turned—
Endou hovered above them.
Endou: "You're strong… but not enough."
Wind spiraled violently around him.
Endou: "Whirlwind Power: Hurricane."
A massive storm formed instantly, tearing through the ground.
Isao struggled to stand.
He couldn't breathe.
This is… overwhelming…
Endou: "Release."
The storm vanished.
Silence.
Endou: "That's a wrap. Koji and I win."
Isao stood there, shaken.
Isao (thinking):I couldn't even react…
His fists clenched.
Isao: "So that's the power of the Robe of Wind…"
Later—
Isao: "Want to grab dinner?"
Koji: "I'm in!"
Mika: "Sounds fun!"
Endou: "I have better things to do."
Koji: "What's your problem?"
Isao: "Relax. It's fine."
Over dinner—
Isao: "I can't believe how strong Endou is."
Koji: "You're strong too. Not surprising—you're Yuto Yamazaki's grandson."
Isao went quiet.
Mika: "Are you ready for next week?"
Isao: "Next week?"
Koji: "The Annual Knight Regiment Meeting."
Isao's eyes lit up.
The Annual Knight Regiment Meeting is a meeting with all the number one squads.
That night, as he walked home—
One thought stayed in his mind.
I need to get stronger.
And not just for himself—
But for the people who couldn't fight at all.